76
P. Wright
produce a prototype coastal zone map for the UK. This chapter describes the outcome
of this project. In particular it identifies some of the many applications for GIS in the
coastal zone and offshore, some of the technical issues which need to be considered
when creating data for these systems, and a personal view on the way ahead for coastal
zone mapping in the UK and the prospects for supplying hydrographic data for use in
GIS.
Stage 1 of the HO/OS Coastal Zone Mapping Project
During the first stage of the project a desk-top mapping system was used to produce a
prototype paper map of Langstone and Chichester Harbours on the south coast of
England.
The map was widely distributed to potential customers and was well
received.
Two distinct markets were identified for the product, one with leisure users
and the other with planners. The prototype paper map was particularly popular with
yachtsmen, boat owners and watersports enthusiasts.
However, market research
indicated that demand for the product was unlikely to be sufficient to recover the full
costs of production. This phase of the project has been reported on in detail by Harper
(1993a and 1993b) and Curtis et al. (1993).
Stage 2 of the HO/OS Coastal Zone Mapping Project
Although many planners with responsibilities for the coast said they would welcome a
paper map that spanned the coastline and combined the content of an OS map with
that of an Admiralty chart, it was clear from their replies that such a map would not
fulfil all of their requirements. Planners need to be able to overlay their own specific
information on some form of base map and to be able to regularly update this
information. A highly detailed and full colour paper map is not an ideal document on
which to do this. Planners require a simple and unobtrusive base map upon which
other information can be easily displayed, amended and erased. The intention of the
second stage of the coastal zone mapping project was to create just such a map in
digital form for use in GIS and from this to derive one or more paper map products.
Applications
Applications for GIS in the coastal zone and offshore extend well beyond planning.
Listed in Table 1 below are the main areas of activity which can benefit from using
GIS.
P. Wright
produce a prototype coastal zone map for the UK. This chapter describes the outcome
of this project. In particular it identifies some of the many applications for GIS in the
coastal zone and offshore, some of the technical issues which need to be considered
when creating data for these systems, and a personal view on the way ahead for coastal
zone mapping in the UK and the prospects for supplying hydrographic data for use in
GIS.
Stage 1 of the HO/OS Coastal Zone Mapping Project
During the first stage of the project a desk-top mapping system was used to produce a
prototype paper map of Langstone and Chichester Harbours on the south coast of
England.
The map was widely distributed to potential customers and was well
received.
Two distinct markets were identified for the product, one with leisure users
and the other with planners. The prototype paper map was particularly popular with
yachtsmen, boat owners and watersports enthusiasts.
However, market research
indicated that demand for the product was unlikely to be sufficient to recover the full
costs of production. This phase of the project has been reported on in detail by Harper
(1993a and 1993b) and Curtis et al. (1993).
Stage 2 of the HO/OS Coastal Zone Mapping Project
Although many planners with responsibilities for the coast said they would welcome a
paper map that spanned the coastline and combined the content of an OS map with
that of an Admiralty chart, it was clear from their replies that such a map would not
fulfil all of their requirements. Planners need to be able to overlay their own specific
information on some form of base map and to be able to regularly update this
information. A highly detailed and full colour paper map is not an ideal document on
which to do this. Planners require a simple and unobtrusive base map upon which
other information can be easily displayed, amended and erased. The intention of the
second stage of the coastal zone mapping project was to create just such a map in
digital form for use in GIS and from this to derive one or more paper map products.
Applications
Applications for GIS in the coastal zone and offshore extend well beyond planning.
Listed in Table 1 below are the main areas of activity which can benefit from using
GIS.